Here's the scenario: You just attended a business event such as a conference, seminar or trade show. There you were given an attendee list including email addresses. When you get back to your office, is it OK to send email to this list?

Email marketing experts say absolutely not if you are sending a "blast" note to the entire list; or, an individual note to anyone on the list you did not personally interact with at the event. That's because although the organizers gave you the list, the people in the list did not give you permission to email them. Emailing is all about permission. If someone hasn't personally met you and isn't expecting an email from you, guess what? You're spamming them. And that's too big a risk to take.

One last note -- be aware that about 25% of the attendees on any event list you get probably did not attend. Either they couldn't make it at the last minute or they sent someone else in their place. So, if you are hoping to get away with spamming by sending a note that looks personal such as "Nice to have met you at...." they won't be fooled. They'll just know you're a liar AND a spammer. Whups.

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